Ways to Work

THE FAMILY TREE ON THE MOVE

By Dolores Broussard, Lafayette, LA

The old offices of The Family Tree were housed in an orphanage built in the 1920's. The heating and cooling system was water based. Throughout the years we had to occasionally repair this system when needed. However, this past October, the 80 to 90 year old pipes took their last breath. The agency had been in the midst of a capital campaign to build another building, but our time had run out. At this point, our office manager took charge and started looking for any property that would house our whole agency immediately.

Meanwhile, during this quest, temperatures went from freezing to the 70's within 24 hour intervals. This fast change in temperature is typical in southern Louisiana. We had no heat or air for essentially three months. At first when it was cold, the property managers would not even allow us to use electric heaters. Eventually they relented. But, even with those appliances, we were still cold. We would be at our desks with sweaters, coats, gloves, scarves, and sometimes even hats. Then, when the temperatures rose, we were hot. Due to the condensation, the inside walls would sweat and the floors would buckle. Toilet paper in the bathroom was damp, and we had no hot water.

This environment was definitely not conducive for productive work. But, because of our dedication and loyalty to the agency, we put up a brave front and persevered. In addition, our clients were committed and stuck with us through these challenges. On the last day before we actually moved, we had about a foot of water in the basement. Consequently, the water had to be completely shut off. So, we got out not a moment too soon!

Since January 5th, we have been in our new, warm, and cool building. We are very grateful to our office manager and the board of directors for moving so quickly. I look around at the smiling faces of my co-workers and it is almost hard to imagine what we went through to get here. But, I am a true believer that all good things come to those who wait. The Family Tree and her staff should represent what true commitment stands for in a social service world.

THE HORIZONS ROAD TO WAYS TO WORK

By Kathi Moss, Cedar Rapids, IA

Our site began to receive inquiries and set up appointments as of June, 2008. We were quite excited. We had 3 auto dealers on board. We met with our local community college to see if their auto shop could help with inspections.

But, it kept raining, and raining, and raining. On June 11, 2008 our office was evacuated as the Cedar River was expected to crest and flood downtown. The river splits our town in half. At 6 blocks from the river we were told to expect 3 feet of water in the building. The river crested at 31 feet over flood stage. We had 7.5 feet of water in our building.

 

I called the national office on Friday June 13th to let them know we were not going to be doing many loans. Everyone was so supportive and encouraging. They sent another manual to my home, so I would have available information about the program.

We reopened our credit counseling program June 19th at a local church. We operated using cells phones and laptop computers. My office was the bible study room, very quiet and comfortable.

Several of our first scheduled appointments were missed because of the evacuation. We offer a financial literacy class 3 times a month as part of our credit counseling program. I just presented it at the church.

During June, 5 clients were interviewed, one withdrew her application.

The loan committee met on the 2nd Monday in July, at 7:30 AM in the chapel at the church. Two of the four loans taken to committee were approved. Only one of the approved loans was funded. At the end of July, the Cedar Rapids Ways to Work site was in business with our first loan on the books. We took pictures at the church after the client picked up the car.

August 15th, we had to relocate again, because the church was having vacation bible school. We moved to an office building for the remaining time of our displacement. I continued to see minimal applicants for the program. A lot of my time was spent in my other capacities as a Housing and Credit Counselor.

By the time I went to the Ways to Work Institute, our first loan was paid in full. She wrecked the car and insurance paid the loan in full. We did fund another loan to her in October. So far, so good, the loan is still on the books.

January 9, 2009, we moved back to our rebuilt building. We have reopened and hopefully are ready to ramp up the program. As of the end of February, I have 3 loans on the books. Yea!

Operation: Operations

By Quincy Scaggs, WtW National Operations Manager

For this first issue of the newsletter and the ones to follow, I am responsible for an operations report. This report is to include recent site visits (where and what for), upcoming site visits (where and what for) and any other aspects of operations that would benefit the Ways to Work network—even if it’s simply a story I would like to share.

Travels

From February 17th through 19th I visited the Family Conservancy located in Kansas City, KS and MO.

This is the third program start for this agency. It was originally part of the WtW pilot in 1999 funded with McKnight money. They had a high default rate and no real community buy-in. There was no banking partner or sound collections practices. The program folded in 2000. Then Senator Bond and the Alliance negotiated an earmark via a St. Louis agency for $344,000. With that money and leftover McKnight funds, the agency did 71 loans. The last loan was made in May, 2006. When trying to secure more funding, the agency had to deal with an attorney for the local MPO. At issue was whether the agency's use of the funds was permissible. The agency finally signed a new contract last month.

The first full week in March my travels took me ever further south. I visited Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge, where Kandee Wickboldt is in charge of program operations. My goal was to review program operations from beginning to end. When doing program review, I try to provide operational recommendations that I believe may make processes go smoother or become more streamlined. I also make note of something that I see programs do that I didn’t (during my loan coordinator days) and those ideas that I might have tried. My ultimate goal is to share those ideas or processes with the rest of the network.

I also visited The Family Tree in Lafayette. This program is under the direction of the one-woman-show, Dolores Broussard. Again, my goal was to review program operations. Also, Dolores and I brainstormed about how to balance seeing clients and implementing quality case management.

In the upcoming weeks I have visits to Illinois, New York, and Florida on the horizon with others to be determined. In addition, there may be several more visits to brand new programs due to interest the national office has received from the many areas in the country that may contribute to WtW's expansion. They are: Colorado Springs, CO, New Haven, CT, Hilo, HI, Hunterdon, NJ, Kingsport, TN, Norfolk, VA and Charlotte, NC.

Speaking of expansion, the national office is currently working on a funding proposal with various Chicago area Alliance member agencies to cover the entire Chicago metropolitan area. Similar proposals are being investigated in Gary, IN and Boston, MA.

Reminders / Updates

• • The most recent conference call was held on March 19th. The topic was "Marketing". Notes and audio will be posted online soon.
• • One of the resources provided at last year’s Institute was a Grant Proposal Guide. The national office provided it to agency staff on a flash drive. It has proved fruitful for some agencies such as Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge.
• • Also at Institute, the national office showcased an outline of the new Reference Manual. It is in its final draft stages and should be available to the field by late spring.
• • For those agencies that are using the Financial Education Curriculum that the national office provided, please e-mail the pre- and post-test results to qscaggs@waystowork.org.

By Matt Mueller, WtW Director of Funding Support Services

I am going to buck the trend and provide an alternate perspective to the doom and gloom that seems to be permeating all aspects of the media and our daily conversations these days. I won’t deny there are some very real and pressing problems cascading through our national and global economies. I also won’t deny that this will put considerable pressure on funding streams and nonprofit organizations’ abilities to keep programs operating and doors open. However, there is ample opportunity to be pursued, and I believe WtW is positioned to pursue this opportunity. As Winston Churchill put it, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Whatever 2009 holds in store for us, we know for certain there will be challenges on the funding front. In spite of theses challenges, I am excited to continue with our efforts to attract funding for the work you do helping low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. I am excited, not because I live in some delusional world where the current economic crisis does not exist, but rather because I know we operate an effective program that is well-positioned to address the challenges facing our communities.

The primary reasons for my optimism are twofold. The first is the additional resources that have been added to bolster support services to the WtW network, and others that will be added in the near future. On the staffing side, we are in the process of hiring a new Fund Development Manager. Along with my position, this individual is responsible for ensuring adequate levels of funding are secured for new and existing loan offices. It is our hope that we will be able to identify the right person for the job in the first half of 2009, and put them to work in the field as quickly as possible. In addition to staff support, I hope that everyone continues to make good use of both the JARC Formula Grant Program Handbook and the Grant Proposal Guide. These resource manuals can save you time writing grant proposals for WtW, as well as help your agency develop effective fund development strategies for the program. Both documents can be found on the WtW website or can be obtained by sending a request to funddevelopment@waystowork.org.

Secondly, I truly believe our program is a timely answer to some of the problems plaguing the credit industry. The turmoil in the financial markets and the subsequent credit crunch have made our mission and expansion goals all the more relevant. Working poor families without access to affordable credit and adequate transportation now find themselves with even less options than before. Ways to Work is one of the few lenders currently providing critical financial resources to help these families keep their lives on track.

As your agencies begin moving forward with fund development planning this year, I encourage you to reach out to the WtW national office. We have many resources that can help you identify potential funders, create solid grant proposals, cultivate donor relationships, and develop strategies to attract support for your WtW program.

I’ll end with a parting thought on action in a time of crisis. There are many that will be paralyzed with fear and anxiety over what might happen in the future. That of course is not what the missions of our agencies call for. Nor is it a useful response in a time of need. The Latin phrase “age quod agis” means to keep doing what you are doing, attend to the business at hand. The work we do is important, it is impactful, and it is needed. Age quod agis.

Dear Ways to Work

Metropolitan Family Service, Portland, OR

This letter is to confirm the amazing customer service and emergency support I received this year from you through my contact Shana, following a car purchase the previous year.

I took my young son to the beach for Easter weekend and ended up with car problems! To my great surprise my insurance policy had no towing and I had no rental car reimbursement – which I requested at the time of purchase.

Shana helped me to get my car towed to a local Ford dealer for repair. I was able to get a Hertz rental car and get home. Shana also helped me pay my April car payment since I was looking at a car repair of over $600, plus the rental car at a rate of $270! Her assistance with this car purchase has been a real blessing and I am so grateful for her help. The Ways to Work employees have always been nothing but professional.

I received towing assistance, assistance with my car payment, and assistance with some of my car repair at the Ford dealer. I don’t have a grand total right now, but I know Shana has the receipts.

Thank you again.

Dear Ways to Work

Social Development Commission, Milwaukee, WI

I am a 30-year-old single parent of two children.

After years of dead-end, low paying jobs, in 2006 I was extremely fortunate to finally be hired in a good position, working for a good employer. Unfortunately, because of those years of dead-end, low paying jobs, I had horrible credit and was never able to manage to purchase a car worth more than $500 that was safe to run. Things were finally starting to look up for my little family with my new stable job, but because of my credit, I was still driving a tremendously rickety car. I was thankful that I had a car, but now that I look back … I shouldn't have even been driving it, especially, with my kids in the car. It was that unsafe. I felt I had no choice because I didn't know how else I could get the kids to and from daycare everyday, or to their doctor appointments. Taking a bus everywhere would mean a huge amount of time spent without my kids, way more time off of work, the kids wouldn’t be able to be in after school activities, their social lives would be cut short, I would never be able to work any overtime that might be offered, and overall make our lives really, really hard and unhappy.

After searching on the Internet during my breaks at work, I finally came across Ways to Work. I have never heard of the program and figured that I might as well apply because there didn't seem to be a single thing else that I could do. Ways to Work was the only program that I ever came across in the Milwaukee area that helps parents in my situation get a safe car. All throughout the application process I didn't get my hopes up because Ways to Work was literally my last (and only) hope. When I got the call from Terri saying that my loan was approved, I got off the phone with her and immediately burst in tears. I was that happy and relieved.

I absolutely tried to make the best of the loan by thoroughly researching which are the best used cars I could get for the $4000. I settled on a 1997 Honda Accord. Some people may (and did) scoff at my huge excitement for being able to buy a 10+ year old car, but I don't care because they have no idea how much it means to me to have this car. All my kids' lives, all they have known is for me to either have very scary and falling apart cars or else no car at all. Now we have one that looks decent and runs perfect.

I really wish there was more funding for this program because I personally know a lot of people whose lives would change if they were able to get help from Ways to Work. People who have never had to take buses with small children every single place they go, or had to rely on family and friends' charity car rides have no idea what a hard struggle it is.

The whole process of getting the Ways to Work loan was pretty simple. Both Terri and Karen were very available and helpful throughout the whole process. I am grateful to both of them, especially Terri for all of her work and help in this matter.

Another positive side effect of this loan that I want to mention before I end this note is one that I would have not even expected ... a sense of pride. I don't have to be embarrassed not having a car (or having a junky one), or ashamed of having to ask people for rides or relying on anyone else's help. I am proud of the way that I have managed to find the car, and the cheapest insurance I could find, all on my own. I am also proud that I am paying the loan off on time every month. To me, this is the first step in becoming a responsible and productive mother. It helped nudge me in the right direction in bettering mine and my children's lives, whereas before I felt I had no choice but to just try “making it” from day to day, not really moving up.

Terri Varga, SDC Loan Coordinator, Comments

About a year ago, I had the experience of working with a mother with 2 young children who didn’t have any safe, reliable transportation. However that isn’t anything unique to the Ways to Work program. After reviewing my client’s information and determining that she met the qualifications for our loan program, her file was presented to our loan committee and was approved. What a great pleasure it was for me to call and give her the good news. My client had tears of joy. She was so very happy. From time to time, I follow up with her just to see how things are going, and every time we talk my client extends her gratitude for the Ways to Work program. My client has never missed a payment, her payments are on time, and in fact she signed up for automatic withdrawal. Not long after her loan was approved, she received a promotion at work and as of the last time we spoke, things were going well for her.